Wreck survivors in 'shock,' dispute locations in vehicle

Published: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 8:15 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 8:15 p.m.

The survivors of a wreck Saturday morning that claimed the life of their friend are still in shock, family members said.

Karen Lyda, mother of 20-year-old Dustin James Lyda, of 1322 Ridge Road, said her son was riding in the back seat of the 1994 Jeep Cherokee when it sped off of Deep Gap Road in Flat Rock and down a 39-foot embankment, where it went airborne into a tree.

Karen Lyda said they are all deeply saddened by the loss of such a "good guy," who was so funny and has been a friend to her son for years. She thinks Womack may have saved her son's life that night.

"My son wanted to be in the front seat and his friend said, ‘No, you sit in the back.' His friend (Womack) saved his life," she said.

But Troopers noted in the crash report that Womack was in the back and Lyda was riding in the front seat when the Jeep careened into a tree.

Sgt. B.E. Hipp, a trooper with the N.C. Highway Patrol, said the Jeep was traveling at a high rate of speed and Womack was not wearing his seat belt when the vehicle ran off the road. Kitchen was freed from the mangled Jeep by Dana Fire and Rescue with the Jaws of Life. He was airlifted to Mission Hospital.

Lyda walked away from the wreck, but was taken to Pardee Hospital.

"This has been a very hard, horrific thing," Lyda said. "That Jeep was demolished... I don't know how my son even made it out of there alive."

Kitchen has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. Hipp said troopers are still investigating whether alcohol was a factor in the crash. No more charges had been filed as of Tuesday.

<p>The survivors of a wreck Saturday morning that claimed the life of their friend are still in shock, family members said. </p><p>Karen Lyda, mother of 20-year-old Dustin James Lyda, of 1322 Ridge Road, said her son was riding in the back seat of the 1994 Jeep Cherokee when it sped off of Deep Gap Road in Flat Rock and down a 39-foot embankment, where it went airborne into a tree. </p><p>Dustin Lyda and the driver, James Anthony Kitchen, 24, of 134 Piney Mountain Road, escaped with non-life-threatening injuries. </p><p>Caleb Womack, 20, of 212 Highland Park Road, died instantly. </p><p>Karen Lyda said they are all deeply saddened by the loss of such a "good guy," who was so funny and has been a friend to her son for years. She thinks Womack may have saved her son's life that night.</p><p>"My son wanted to be in the front seat and his friend said, 'No, you sit in the back.' His friend (Womack) saved his life," she said.</p><p>But Troopers noted in the crash report that Womack was in the back and Lyda was riding in the front seat when the Jeep careened into a tree.</p><p>Sgt. B.E. Hipp, a trooper with the N.C. Highway Patrol, said the Jeep was traveling at a high rate of speed and Womack was not wearing his seat belt when the vehicle ran off the road. Kitchen was freed from the mangled Jeep by Dana Fire and Rescue with the Jaws of Life. He was airlifted to Mission Hospital.</p><p>Lyda walked away from the wreck, but was taken to Pardee Hospital.</p><p>"This has been a very hard, horrific thing," Lyda said. "That Jeep was demolished... I don't know how my son even made it out of there alive."</p><p>Kitchen has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. Hipp said troopers are still investigating whether alcohol was a factor in the crash. No more charges had been filed as of Tuesday.</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>